前

before, front

JLPT N5 Grade 2 9 strokes

Kun'yomi: まえ
On'yomi: ゼン
Radical: 刀 · knife (knife, blade)

前 means "before, front". It is a JLPT N5 kanji written in 9 strokes. It is read まえ in native Japanese words (kun'yomi) and ゼン in compounds (on'yomi). Japanese schoolchildren learn it in grade 2.

Example word

名前なまえ

name

前 in example sentences

お名前なまえは？

O namae wa?

What's your name?
お前まえも来こいよ。

Omae mo koi yo.

You come, too.
トムは男前おとこまえだ。

Tomu wa otokomae da.

Tom is handsome.

Example sentences from the Tatoeba Project, licensed CC-BY 2.0 FR.

Stroke order & writing

Want more? Practice writing from memory. Stroke-order and animation sources are on our credits page.

Words that use 前

More 刀 (knife) kanji

Common questions

What does the kanji 前 mean?: 前 means "before, front". It is a JLPT N5 kanji.
How many strokes does 前 have?: 前 is written in 9 strokes.
How is 前 read?: It is read まえ in native Japanese words (kun'yomi) and ゼン in compounds (on'yomi).
What JLPT level is 前?: 前 is a JLPT N5 kanji.

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